Sunday, 14 May 2023

BEST AND WORST NEW TRACKS OF THE WEEK 14/05/2023: IDK, Billy Woods, Will.i.am and more..

Artists featured this week include Redshift, IDK, Dragonfruit, Billy Woods, Penny Rich and Will.i.am.

THE BEST:

‘Entropy’ – Redshift

‘Entropy’ is the work of berserk Bath-based band Redshift. It’s a prog metal rollercoaster of track (there’s literally a rollercoaster in the music video) in which the narrator experiences an existential crisis. Trying to briefly summarise this track is an almost impossible task as there are so many twists and turns. Just to give you an idea of how thrillingly nuts this track is, there’s a section where it goes into full-on black metal tremolo guitars and blast beats, only to abruptly transition into jazzy elevator music (along with the cartoonish announcement ‘next floor, self hatred’). The song comes off their new album Laws of Entropy, which follows a man on downward spiral from birth to death. If the whole album is as crazy as this, I need to hear it!

‘Rabbit Stew’ – IDK

Although I feel IDK is still yet to find his USP, it is entertaining to hear a hip hop artist who is able to take on any sound as expertly as this. ‘Rabbit Stew’ begins with some soulful singing and plush Tyler-the-Creator-esque production. I was not expecting the jungle breakbeat percussion at the end, nor was I expecting IDK to rap so energetically over the top of it. The track comes off his new album F65.

‘Space Traveler’ – Dragonfruit ft. Hudson

I covered this Dutch neo-soul group’s single ‘Honeymoon Phase’ a few weeks ago (the title track to their new EP). This track ‘Space Traveler’ comes off the same EP and features guest vocalist Hudson. I’m loving the gorgeous pillowy synths and kooky lyrics about escaping into space. I also think that this may be the most feelgood song I’ve ever heard to contain a eulogy.

‘Soft landing’ – Billy Woods & Kenny Segal

You can tell I need a holiday, because I’ve been gravitating towards songs about flying away this week. ‘Soft Landing’ comes off the new joint album Maps from rapper Billy Woods and producer Kenny Segal. The track consists of breezily delivered poetry over fluttering guitars and jumbo bass, complete with a sample of a pilot’s announcement from an Easyjet flight to help you feel as if you’re soaring away.

‘Spirals’ – Penny Rich

Cardiff punk three-piece Penny Rich have a vicious sound that I’m really digging. The riffs are fuzzy and mean and the erratic vocal delivery has a Jello Biafra tone to it. The track comes off the band’s new album If Everyone’s An Expert…

THE WORST:

‘The Formula’ – Will.i.am ft. Lil Wayne

‘The Formula’ isn’t the most formulaic song I’ve heard from Will.i.am, but it is still pretty awful. The hook is annoying and Lil Wayne’s verse is pretty forgettable. This better not be the new Formula 1 theme!

Tuesday, 9 May 2023

INTRODUCING: OOF

Credit: Dalton Patton

Meet OOF.

Friday, 5 May 2023

Tuesday, 2 May 2023

Review of '72 Seasons' by Metallica


Metallica continue to stay true to their thrash roots. But with so few risks taken and such clunky songwriting, you have to ask yourself ‘is this really more enjoyable than St Anger?’.

Friday, 21 April 2023

Thursday, 13 April 2023

Review of 'Scaring The Hoes' by JPEGmafia and Danny Brown

Scaring The Hoes sees rappers JPEGmafia and Danny Brown celebrating their mutual weirdness. If you want to get kicked out of a house party for ‘scaring the hoes’, play this album (although I can think of much worse examples if you really want to cause utter chaos. Imagine putting Trout Mask Replica on the aux. Or maybe some Merzbow? That’s how you scare the hoes.)

Friday, 7 April 2023

BEST NEW TRACKS OF THE FORTNIGHT 07/04/2023: Icona Pop, redveil, Tyler the Creator and more...

 


No 'worst' tracks this week. Artists featured include Icona Pop, redveil & JPEGmafia, Tyler the Creator, Tom b, OOF and Chat Pile.

Friday, 31 March 2023

Double Review: 'Gigi's Recovery' by The Murder Capital and 'Food for Worms' by Shame


British/Irish post-punk continues to thrive in 2023. But it looks like spoken word is out, and singing is back in.

Friday, 24 March 2023

BEST AND WORST NEW TRACKS OF THE FORTNIGHT 24/03/2023: Elizabeth Shepherd, 100 Gecs, JPEGMAFIA and more...

Tomorrow will be 10 years since I wrote my first review on this blog! Thank you to everyone who has read my blog and contributed music over the years. I realise that I'm not posting as much these days, but don't worry - I have no plans on quitting Music Related Junk any time soon. I love discovering new music and I love supporting upcoming artists, and will probably keep doing so until I die or become deaf. On that note, here are some of the best songs I discovered over the last two weeks. Artists featured this week include Elizabeth Shepherd, 100 Gecs, MIHI NIHIL, JPEGMAFIA & Danny Brown, Guilty Party, Alexandra Streliski, Tame Impala and Lil Pump.